Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries
Students from developing countries often face financial barriers when pursuing higher education abroad. Fortunately, many governments, universities, and international organizations offer fully funded scholarships covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel, insurance, and other costs.
This guide explains some of the best international scholarships, their benefits, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
Current Scholarship Deadlines
Two important UK scholarship cycles are approaching:
Chevening Scholarships: Applications for 2027–2028 are open and close on October 6, 2026, at 11:00 UTC.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: Applications open on September 8, 2026, and close on October 20, 2026, at 16:00 BST.
Deadlines for other scholarships depend on the applicant’s country, university, and selected academic program.
Top Scholarships for Developing-Country Students
| Scholarship | Destination | Study level | Main coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | United Kingdom | Master’s | Tuition, living costs, travel and other allowances |
| Commonwealth | United Kingdom | Master’s and PhD | Tuition, airfare and living allowance |
| Erasmus Mundus | Several European countries | Master’s | Participation costs, travel, visa and living allowance |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Master’s and selected PhD programs | Monthly stipend, insurance and travel support |
| SI Scholarship | Sweden | Master’s | Tuition, monthly allowance and travel grant |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Tuition, airfare, living allowance and health insurance |
| Manaaki | New Zealand | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Tuition, travel, insurance and living costs |
| Türkiye Scholarships | Türkiye | Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD | Tuition, accommodation, stipend, insurance and flight |
| Mastercard Foundation | Partner universities | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Comprehensive academic and personal support |
| JJ/WBGSP | Selected universities | Master’s | Tuition, stipend, flights, insurance and travel allowance |
1. Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the United Kingdom government’s international scholarship program for emerging leaders. It supports eligible applicants pursuing a one-year master’s degree at a UK university.
Scholarship benefits
A Chevening Scholarship normally includes:
University tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
Economy airfare to and from the United Kingdom
Arrival and departure allowances
Visa application costs
Travel support for official Chevening events
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants generally must:
Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
Hold an undergraduate degree
Have at least 2,800 hours of work experience obtained after completing the undergraduate degree
Apply to three eligible UK master’s courses
Return to their home country for at least two years after completing the scholarship
Demonstrate leadership, networking ability and a realistic career plan
Employment, part-time work, voluntary work, and paid or unpaid internships may count toward the work-experience requirement.
Applications for 2027–2028 close on October 6, 2026. Read the official Chevening application timeline and work-experience requirements.
2. Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships support students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
Programs include Commonwealth Master’s, Shared Master’s and PhD Scholarships. Availability depends on the applicant’s country and study level.
Scholarship benefits
Depending on the award, funding may include:
Approved tuition fees
Return airfare
Monthly living allowance
Thesis or dissertation grant
Study-travel support
Warm-clothing allowance
Additional family or disability support in eligible cases
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants normally need to:
Be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country
Hold an appropriate undergraduate or postgraduate qualification
Demonstrate academic merit
Explain the development impact of their proposed studies
Show that they cannot afford to study in the UK without financial assistance
Apply through an approved nominating agency when required
The 2027–2028 Commonwealth Master’s cycle opens September 8 and closes October 20, 2026. Applicants may need to complete both the CSC application and their country’s nomination process. See the official Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship page.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programs delivered jointly by universities in several countries. Students normally study in at least two countries during the program.
Scholarship benefits
Full scholarships may cover:
Program participation costs
Tuition and compulsory academic expenses
Visa-related costs
Travel and installation expenses
Monthly living allowance
Under current Erasmus Mundus funding rules, scholarships can provide up to €1,400 per month for the program’s duration.
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants must normally:
Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
Be in the final year of undergraduate study and graduate before the master’s begins, if applying before graduation
Meet the academic and language requirements of the selected program
Submit an application directly to the consortium operating the master’s course
Most programs accept applications between October and January, although each consortium sets its own deadline. Search programs through the official Erasmus Mundus page.
4. DAAD EPOS Scholarships
The German Academic Exchange Service offers Development-Related Postgraduate Courses, commonly called DAAD EPOS, for professionals from developing and newly industrialized countries.
The program focuses on subjects connected to sustainable development, economics, engineering, public health, environmental science, regional planning and related areas.
Scholarship benefits
Funding may include:
A monthly payment of approximately €992 for graduates
A doctoral payment of approximately €1,400 from February 2026
Health, accident and personal-liability insurance
Travel allowance
Possible rent or family allowance in qualifying circumstances
Applicants should check whether their chosen university charges tuition because DAAD does not automatically pay tuition fees charged by every institution.
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants generally need:
A relevant bachelor’s degree
Above-average academic results
At least two years of relevant professional experience after graduation
A clear development-related motivation
Evidence that they can contribute to positive change after returning home
The language qualification required by the selected course
Each EPOS course has a separate deadline and application procedure. Consult the official DAAD EPOS information.
5. Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals supports full-time master’s study in Sweden. It is intended for professionals from selected countries who can demonstrate leadership experience and a commitment to sustainable development.
Scholarship benefits
The scholarship includes:
Full tuition paid directly to the university
A monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000
A travel grant, normally SEK 15,000, with a different amount for certain countries
Membership in the SI Network for Future Global Professionals
Access to an alumni network after graduation
The scholarship normally does not include financial support for family members.
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants must usually:
Be a citizen of an eligible country
Apply to an eligible Swedish master’s program
Be liable to pay tuition fees in Sweden
Demonstrate qualifying work experience
Show leadership experience
Explain how the proposed study supports sustainable development
University admission and scholarship applications are separate processes. Check the official SI Scholarship page.
6. Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term awards funded by the Australian government. They are available to citizens of participating countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
Available degrees and priority subjects differ by country.
Scholarship benefits
Benefits generally include:
Full tuition fees
Return economy airfare
A one-time establishment allowance
Contribution toward living expenses
Overseas Student Health Cover
Introductory academic support
Supplementary academic assistance
Fieldwork support for qualifying courses
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
Be citizens of a participating country
Meet country-specific age, employment and academic requirements
Choose an approved course connected to their country’s development priorities
Meet the university’s English-language and admission requirements
Normally return home after completing their studies
Check your country’s eligibility, priority fields and deadline on the official Australia Awards participating-countries page.
7. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand government for eligible students from developing partner countries.
Study levels and approved subjects vary by country. Priority is generally given to courses that contribute to the applicant’s country’s social and economic development.
Scholarship benefits
A full scholarship may provide:
Full tuition fees
Living allowance
Establishment allowance
Return economy airfare
Travel insurance
Medical insurance
Research and thesis assistance for qualifying postgraduate students
Reintegration support after completing the scholarship
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants normally must:
Be a citizen of an eligible country
Be at least 18 when beginning the scholarship
Meet academic and English-language requirements
Have relevant work experience when required
Select a recommended subject for their country
Demonstrate a commitment to their country’s development
There is no general upper age limit, although applicants under 40 may be preferred. Use the official Manaaki eligibility checker.
8. Türkiye Scholarships
Türkiye Scholarships is a government-funded program that combines financial support with university and department placement.
It is available for associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Scholarship benefits
The full-time program includes:
University and department placement
Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Health insurance
One year of Turkish-language study
A one-time flight ticket
Current published monthly stipends are 4,500 TL for undergraduate students, 6,500 TL for master’s students and 9,000 TL for doctoral students, although amounts can change.
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
Be citizens of a country other than Türkiye
Meet the minimum academic achievement requirement
Meet the age requirement for their study level
Be graduates or expect to graduate before the specified date
Submit transcripts, identification, qualifications and other required documents
Students already studying in Türkiye at the same level for which they are applying are normally ineligible. Review the official Türkiye Scholarships programs and criteria.
9. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program primarily supports academically talented young Africans who face financial, social or economic barriers.
Scholarships are delivered through individual partner universities and organizations rather than through one central application.
Scholarship support
Depending on the partner institution, support may include:
Tuition and university fees
Accommodation
Books and academic materials
Living and transportation expenses
Laptop or technology support
Mentoring and counselling
Leadership development
Internships and career preparation
Disability-related support
Main eligibility requirements
Requirements vary, but applicants are usually expected to:
Have a strong academic record
Demonstrate financial need or significant barriers to education
Show leadership potential
Be committed to improving their community
Meet the admission requirements of the partner university
Applicants should apply directly through an approved institution listed on the Mastercard Foundation partner directory.
10. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, or JJ/WBGSP, supports mid-career professionals from eligible developing countries studying development-related master’s degrees.
Scholarship benefits
The award provides:
Tuition fees
Monthly living stipend
Round-trip economy airfare
Health insurance
Travel allowance
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants generally must:
Be nationals of an eligible World Bank member developing country
Not hold dual citizenship in a developed country
Hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least three years before the deadline
Have at least three years of recent development-related professional experience
Be employed in qualifying development-related work when applying
Receive unconditional admission, except for funding, to a participating master’s program
Commit to returning home and contributing to national development
Only applicants nominated or shortlisted by a participating university receive access to the scholarship application. See the official JJ/WBGSP page.
Documents Commonly Required
Start preparing these documents several months before applications open:
Valid passport or national identification
Degree certificate
Academic transcripts
Updated curriculum vitae
English-language certificate, such as IELTS or TOEFL
Motivation or personal statement
Study plan or research proposal
Two or three reference letters
Employment certificates
Proof of leadership or volunteer experience
University admission letter, when required
Proof of citizenship or residence
Certified translations of documents not written in the required language
How to Write a Strong Scholarship Application
Connect your studies to a real problem
Explain the specific challenge you want to address in your country. Avoid vague statements such as “I want to help people.” Identify the problem, people affected, and practical change you want to create.
Use evidence of leadership
Leadership does not require a senior job title. You can discuss a project you organized, an improvement you introduced at work, a volunteer initiative, or a situation where you influenced others.
Choose the right course
Show a clear connection between:
Your previous education
Your professional experience
The selected course
Your long-term career plan
Your country’s development needs
Give measurable examples
Instead of saying, “I helped students,” write something more specific, such as: “I organized weekly classes for 40 students and increased course completion from 60% to 85%.”
Apply to several suitable scholarships
Do not depend on only one opportunity. Create a calendar and apply to several programs for which you genuinely meet the requirements.
Common Application Mistakes
Applicants should avoid:
Applying without checking country eligibility
Sending the same motivation letter to every program
Missing the university-admission application
Providing inconsistent employment dates
Using unsupported claims about leadership
Choosing a course unrelated to their career plan
Submitting weak or generic reference letters
Waiting until the final day
Paying unofficial agents who promise guaranteed selection
A genuine scholarship does not guarantee acceptance in exchange for payment. Always apply through the scholarship’s official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can undergraduate students apply?
Yes. Türkiye Scholarships, Australia Awards, Manaaki Scholarships and some Mastercard Foundation partner programs offer undergraduate opportunities. However, many major international scholarships are limited to master’s or doctoral study.
Can I apply without IELTS?
Sometimes. Certain programs accept another recognized test, proof of previous English-medium education or a certificate submitted later. The rule depends on both the scholarship and university.
Do I need professional experience?
Chevening, DAAD EPOS, SI and JJ/WBGSP normally require relevant experience. Erasmus Mundus and many undergraduate scholarships may accept applicants without full-time professional experience.
Can I apply before graduating?
Some programs allow final-year students to apply if they complete their degree before the funded course begins. Always check the exact scholarship rules.
Are these scholarships completely free?
Many cover most major costs, but applicants may still pay for documents, translations, language tests, local transportation, medical examinations or passport services. Read the award conditions carefully.
Final Advice
Begin preparing at least six months before the deadline. Research each program carefully, improve your English, request references early, and write a personal application supported by real examples.
Scholarship committees are not looking only for high grades. They also seek applicants with leadership potential, a realistic career plan and a convincing commitment to using their education to create positive change in their home country.